Download Assignment #1

Assignment #1
Answer these questions using complete sentences. Be as brief but still complete and
accurate as possible.
A. What is basalt, and where is it found? Why?
B. What ices dominate the solar system?
C. Where do asteroids fit into the Solar System?
D. Are asteroids found in particular orbits? Why or why not?
E. Where are comets found? Are all comets the same?
F. Planetary Bodies: Planets, Moons, Asteroids, Comets:
1. What are the general differences between planets, moons, asteroids, and comets?
2. What do the inner planets have in common with each other in terms of size, location,
and composition?
3. What do the outer giant planets have in common with each other?
G. Planetary Motion:
1. In what way(s) are the orbits of Venus and Uranus different from those of other planets?
H. Planetary Exploration:
1. Without going into details, what major events (i.e. missions or series of missions) contributed most
to our understanding of each of the planetary bodies?
2. What single event caused the instantaneous rise in interest in space exploration in the United
States?
I. Processes:
1. List several of the most important planetary processes responsible for the existence of planetary
bodies as they are now.
2. Pick two planets. Write a one sentence description of each planet's surface. Then write a one
sentence explanation for the difference between the surfaces.
J. Projects:
1. If you had "unlimited" resources, what would you provide to the general public to promote a better
understanding of our solar system, its resources, and its planetary environments?
Advanced Topics:
Do terrestrial planets normally have moons? The answer to this question is not simple,
nor is there any correct one. We have not begun to assess the causes of moon formation,
but you can get the idea by focusing on the number of inner planets vs. outer planets
that have moons and the processes that might have resulted in the existence of moons
for each of those planets.